The playoff picture in the NFL is far from settled as we head into Week 11. With just one unbeaten team in the entire league and a legion of two-loss and three-loss teams, there is still plenty of movement to come down the stretch.
This week begins with an NFC West showdown in Seattle, so let’s look at all of our NFL betting straight up picks for this week’s action.
NFL News: SU Picks for Week 11
Thursday, November 19
Arizona (+3) at Seattle (8:20 pm ET, FOX / NFL Network / Amazon Prime Video)
The Cardinals ride in on the high of beating Buffalo with an amazing Hail Mary, while Seattle limps back from Los Angeles having lost to the Rams. A Seattle loss would mean four losses in five games and near elimination from the chance to win the division. The defense is ridiculously porous; the offense moves back and forth between pass-first and run-first; the pass was working until Wilson threw seven picks in four games. Seattle remains unbeaten at home, and the Seahawks are 18-3 in prime time contests since Wilson joined the team. I see the Seahawks using this as a bounce-back game. Seahawks to win.
Sunday, November 22
Early Games
Philadelphia (+2) at Cleveland (FOX)
The Browns are 6-3 but would miss the playoffs if the season ended today. They need to take advantage of a home game against the Eagles, and they will do it by pounding Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who both posted 100+ yard games against Dallas and Houston. Philadelphia is struggling for consistency, as they lost to the Giants last week. Browns to win.
Atlanta (+7) at New Orleans (FOX)
This is an interesting game, as the Saints will likely have the duo of Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill taking turns running the offense. Atlanta has quietly won three out of four. Matt Ryan is high in the standings for passing yards, but that defense ranks #28 in yards permitted per game. Saints to win.
Cincinnati (-1) at Washington (CBS)
Cincinnati went 0 for 13 on third down against Pittsburgh. Ouch. But the tandem of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins is heating up. Washington is getting better offensive play out of Alex Smith down the stretch to get 17 points in Detroit in the fourth quarter. That Washington defense ranks fifth overall, but I see Burrow leading the Bengals to a W. Bengals to win.
Detroit (+3) at Carolina (FOX)
Detroit led Washington, 24-10, at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday at home. The Football Team mounted a ferocious comeback, and the Lions needed a 59-yard field goal to snatch a three-point win at the final gun. Carolina’s defense showed up for the first half but then permitted 29 points in the second half. Teddy Bridgewater also hurt his knee, and Christian McCaffrey is out. Lions to win.
Pittsburgh (-9.5) at Jacksonville (CBS)
Is this another trap game for the Steelers? Remember that they almost lost in Dallas two weeks ago, before routing Cincinnati last week. Jacksonville pushed Green Bay to the final drive of the game last week, but that doesn’t mean that they can push Pittsburgh that far. Steelers to win.
Tennessee (+6.5) at Baltimore (CBS)
Baltimore got upset at New England on Sunday. Lamar Jackson had a decent came but did throw a pick near the end of the first half, ending a promising drive. Baltimore also fumbled some key snaps. Tennessee has many problems on special teams — Stephen Gostkowski can’t make field goals, and the Colts blocked a punt for a touchdown on Thursday. Ravens to win.
New England (+2.5) at Houston (CBS)
I’m scratching my head at how Houston only put up seven points in Cleveland last week. Deshaun Watson should have been able to find all kinds of opportunities against that Browns secondary. But “should” doesn’t score points or win games. New England posted an impressive win on Sunday night. Patriots to win.
Late Games
Miami (-1) at Denver (CBS)
Miami has won three in a row to sit at 6-3, breathing down Buffalo’s neck in the AFC East. Tua Tagovailoa has come into his own at quarterback, but it’s that defense that is standing tall. Miami is fourth in fewest points permitted per game and second in takeaways per game. The Broncos give the ball away twice a game on average. However, this puts Miami in a cold-weather situation…but I’m not sure it matters. Dolphins to win.
N.Y. Jets (+10) at L.A. Chargers (CBS)
The Chargers have the defense to shut down the Jets. But will they play an entire game? Chargers to win.
Green Bay (-2) at Indianapolis (FOX)
I’ve been underrating the Colts all season, but their defense is ironclad, and they moved into first place in the AFC South on Thursday by beating the Titans. They permit just 19.7 points per game. The Colts depend on the run, and the Packers struggle to stop the run. Green Bay also had a hard time ditching Jacksonville last week. Colts to win.
Dallas (+9.5) at Minnesota (FOX)
Garrett Gilbert should start at quarterback for Dallas, which means that the Cowboys plan to start Andy Dalton and may not even have Gilbert as the backup. The Cowboys still haven’t figured out how to play consistent defense, although they looked better against Pittsburgh two weeks ago. Dalvin Cook should be able to run the ball all day against the Cowboys. Vikings to win.
Sunday Night Football
Kansas City (-7) at Las Vegas (8:20 pm ET, NBC)
Las Vegas is the only team to beat Kansas City this year. Derek Carr threw for 347 yards thanks to two long touchdowns. The Raider defense got a late pick from Jeff Heath and held Patrick Mahomes to a 51 percent completion rate. Can the Raiders sweep the Chiefs? I say no. Chiefs to win.
Monday Night Football
L.A. Rams at Tampa Bay (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
This is an intriguing matchup, as the Rams have the pass rush to make Tom Brady’s night a long one, but Tampa Bay can get in Jared Goff’s face as well and pressure him into bad decisions. Buccaneers to win.
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